The primary school kids from around Griffith were given an excellent opportunity to learn hockey from two high profile teachers on Wednesday afternoon. Australian hockey players Ryan Proctor and Kate Hanna took the kids through their paces as many were introduced to the sport for the first time as part of a program between Hockey NSW and Macquarie Sports. Griffith junior development officer said it was an excellent opportunity for the kids. “We are a developing region so to get guys of that calibre out here to support what we are doing here locally is fantastic,” he said. “It's great for the kids to get exposure to elite players such as these.” Sinclair was pleased to see over 300 kids in attendance on Wednesday and estimated the 90 per cent of the kids hadn’t picked up a stick before. “This event has been well received by the school community which is great, and we were overwhelmed with the response we got,” he said. The junior development officer was hopeful that programs such as this aimed at getting into the grassroots level would help to grow the sport and continue to see the growth the game is enjoying at the moment despite the plethora of sport on offer during the winter months. “Currently we are sitting at about 55 (junior participants) which doesn't sound like a lot but given the broad range of sports in Griffith ... the growth is pretty good for us,” he said. “With the potential of having a pitch as part of the West End Complex and the great support we get from Wagga Hockey and also Hockey NSW the growth of the sport is great and unlike other sports, it is on the up. “Getting into schools and getting more exposure with kids actually doing activities related to hockey and hopefully once they pick up a stick they don't put it down.

Griffith School student given chance to learn from Australian internationals Ryan Proctor and Kate Hanna

GREAT EXPOSURE: Australian representatives Ryan Proctor and Kate Hanna passed on their knowledge to Griffith primary school students on Wednesday. Picture: Anthony Stipo

The primary school kids from around Griffith were given an excellent opportunity to learn hockey from two high profile teachers on Wednesday afternoon.

Australian hockey players Ryan Proctor and Kate Hanna took the kids through their paces as many were introduced to the sport for the first time as part of a program between Hockey NSW and Macquarie Sports.

Griffith junior development officer said it was an excellent opportunity for the kids.

It's great for the kids to get exposure to elite players such as these.

Andrew Sinclair

“We are a developing region so to get guys of that calibre out here to support what we are doing here locally is fantastic,” he said.

“It's great for the kids to get exposure to elite players such as these.”

Sinclair was pleased to see over 300 kids in attendance on Wednesday and estimated the 90 per cent of the kids hadn’t picked up a stick before.

“This event has been well received by the school community which is great, and we were overwhelmed with the response we got,” he said.

Over 300 students took the chance to learn from some of the best.

The junior development officer was hopeful that programs such as this aimed at getting into the grassroots level would help to grow the sport and continue to see the growth the game is enjoying at the moment despite the plethora of sport on offer during the winter months.

“Currently we are sitting at about 55 (junior participants) which doesn't sound like a lot but given the broad range of sports in Griffith ... the growth is pretty good for us,” he said.

“With the potential of having a pitch as part of the West End Complex and the great support we get from Wagga Hockey and also Hockey NSW the growth of the sport is great and unlike other sports, it is on the up.

“Getting into schools and getting more exposure with kids actually doing activities related to hockey and hopefully once they pick up a stick they don't put it down.